The Health division of Wolters Kluwer, a global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry, is aiding clinicians in the battle against the rapidly spreading Zika virus through free online access to a number of its industry leading medical content and clinical decision support resources. First reported in Brazil in 2015, active Zika outbreaks have now been confirmed in at least 34 countries or territories.
The Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Other modes of transmission are also emerging, including sexual transmission by men infected with the virus. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Symptoms are usually mild, lasting for several days to a week. Patients typically do not get sick enough to require hospitalization, and rarely does the virus lead to death. However, there are reports of severe birth defects among babies born to infected mothers, the most common being microcephaly in which the baby's head is smaller than expected. Evidence also indicates that the Zika virus is associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disease which manifests as paralysis.
Offerings from Wolters Kluwer Health include: pre-defined Zika virus expert services on Ovid®. On Lippincott NursingCenter®, a special Zika virus page and a patient education tool have been created, the latter of which can be found under 'Related Reading.' From Audio-Digest, a lecture on Zika by Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, that provides an update on what physicians and other healthcare professionals need to know about the infection at this stage of the outbreak. The lecture and other important information sources can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/gm5swkq.
Additionally, Clinical Drug Information has added a virus monograph authored by the medical experts at UpToDate® to its Patient Education topics and 'Zika Virus, Molecular and Antibody,' a laboratory testing and diagnostic monograph. Both are accessible via Lexicomp® Online, Integrated Patient Education and Consumer Education Center. UpToDate has opened access to Zika virus infection and Patient information: Zika virus infection (The Basics). Both topics will be continuously updated as new information is revealed. Additional virus content is also available to UpToDate subscribers. ProVation® Order Sets powered by UpToDate Decision Support, has also developed Zika virus order sets for use in pediatric, adult emergency and adult outpatient settings.
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